Inmate preparing claim against Kamloops prison

KAMLOOPS – An inmate at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre is preparing a small claims suit against the prison because he says the conditions there are causing him stress.

Matthew Robert Barber, who is currently in custody for mischief-related charges, filed the claim earlier this week, but it was filed improperly and a completed document is expected soon. In his initial claim, he alleged poor prison shower conditions caused him mental anguish.

He asked for $5,600 for the stress of being exposed to biohazards such as the smell and sight of urine, blood and feces from other inmates in the centre’s showers and cells.

Barber broke it down to $3,200 for stress, $1,200 for anxiety and another $1,200 for humiliation.

B.C. Corrections declined to comment because the claim has not been served yet. Provincial corrections doesn't allow media to observe operations but spokesperson Cindy Rose says cleaning standards are met at the centre.

"B.C. Corrections has daily schedules for cleaning showering facilities and strict policies outlining the clean-up of blood and bodily fluids, which are treated as potentially infectious biohazards. In addition, all B.C. Corrections’ showering facilities have privacy barriers on the shower stalls."

None of the allegations have been discussed or proven in court.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

OPINION A report has recently stated that the average cost of food will inflate near double its average annual rate. This does not include fresh produce and most animal proteins. The inflation for these products may t